Disturbing incident followed by a devious thought to counter....

I was informed by a co-worker the other day that at a store, (i forgot which) there were protesters out in front.
They were protesting about Believing in Santa is a SIN. A SIN!
Telling kids, grownups, everyone that it is a SIN to believe in Santa!...

Firstly, I'm thinking "WTF"... Then i think about it logically...
Still, I'm thinking "WTF". It is remarkably, and sadly INSANE. they would spent their holiday season destroying dozens of kids' Christmas spirits. Good job guys. You killed Christmas for kids this year.

I look at it like this. As you believe in Santa, you believe in the purest, most unexplainable, beautiful form of magic. And in a sense, a child's innocence. When they stop believing, they aren't so innocent anymore, things are now explained, and magic becomes more and more unlikely to the kids. But also, they see adults as liars. Santa is not meant to be the actual person. he does exist. I know this, because I see Santa all the time. When someone gives something to someone, out of the kindness of their heart- It is not only in the Winter seasons... Its all the time. The Santa spirit, Christmas spirit.

A few months ago- October i think, i saw a man's Van break down at a red light, and tried to push it into a gas station parking lot as i was filling up at that very station. A guy pulls into the station, parks, and runs through traffic to help that man with his Van. seconds later, two other men from the bus stop run to help him as well.
Now THAT is a Santa Clause Spirit! Giving something to someone, with no expectations in return.

Now, with that being said, As long as people keep the kind spirit alive, and do things out of the kindness of their hearts, and expect nothing in return, our children will see these things as we do them, and hopefully learn to be the same way. Help your fellow man, do unto others, etc.

I'm not one to preach the Bible, but those are some good guidelines to follow no matter what religion you are. If your an asshole, you get treated like one. No one will call to see if you got home safely that night you had too much to drink and couldn't afford a cab. A good person, their friends will ensure PERSONALLY they get home safely.

back to the protesters-
Part of me wanted to got there and let them tell me this just so i could say something snooty right back to them.
Like how they feel that they just destroyed Christmas for countless children, and stripped them of their innocence?... Basically, hit everyone of them in the chest and broke all those tender little hearts. How many tears do you think you shed from these poor kids this year. Believing in Santa is a SIN?! How about destroying children's Childhood? That's not a sin?

My best defence to the protesters would have been this:
Protesters: "Believing in Santa is a SIN!"
Me: "Oh my God! Really!?"
Protesters: "Yes."
Me: "What about the Easter Bunny?"
Protesters:" Yes!"
Me: "And the Tooth Fairy?!"
Protesters:"YES!"
Me: "Well I guess that means God isn't real either then huh? WHEW! Thanks for clearing that up for me!"
*Walk Away*

I would laugh my ass off at the expression on their faces of throwing that at them all of the sudden.
My parents told me about all that stuff, SC, EB, TF, G. 3 out of those 4 aren't real? I'm not sure what to think either way, but i know i posted about my thoughts and my beliefs in another blog here. if you look you'll find it.

I'm just totally against destroying a childhood, and take away the innocence of a child. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if i did what they were doing. Its just cruel.

If they didn't in the first place, then its not a big deal, the parents would rather be honest with their kids from the start. I can respect that decision. Its fun to believe in it, i personally think. But that's me.
When i found out about it, I was mad at my parents for a long time. I didn't want to accept it. When i came to accept it, I'm glad they did. I thought to myself this was from a guy, who I've never met before, who has never met me, and knows all about me in a creepy-sort-of way, and brings me stuff on Christmas. A stranger doing this, for another stranger? Taking the time, to get to know you enough, to give something they will appreciate. With no expectations of return.
It gave me hope for the rest of the people in the world. If one stranger can do it for another, why couldn't another do it for another?
I can tell you honestly, I feel as though believing in Santa made me see my world in a way others wish they could see it. A world of acceptance, kindness and generosity. In sense, i kind of see it as a child would, but with the ability to put on my "grown up glasses".

Any one who spends time with me knows me as a big kid, but knows when to take it seriously. I play cars, video games, toys, puzzles, and Lego's with my boys, and we both love it. I make voices and faces at them, and they see me as their best friend. But when I use my "Daddy Voice and Face" they know, I'm serious. I'm your father now. I'm not playing anymore. I work to keep them fed and with home. I hold a job as I should, and I play as i should.

I'm glad i believed until i was 16.
At age 27 i still believe in Santa. He is just a different Santa than tradition suggests.